Your Xiaomi has slowed down, apps have been opening for a long time, and animations twitch? These are typical symptoms of a โclutteredโ system that appear even on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or POCO F6 Pro after a year of use, the reason for the slowdown is not just hardware limitations, but firmware features. MIUI, which actively caches data, starts background processes and loads the system with unnecessary services.
In this article โ 10 Proven ways to speed up Xiaomi, from basic (cleaning cache, disabling animations) to advanced (Dalvik optimization, limiting background processes). MIUI 14/15 We also look at what settings are unique to Xiaomi smartphones and why standard Android tips often donโt work here.
1. Diagnostics: Why your Xiaomi is slowing down
Before optimizing, you need to understand the root of the problem: Xiaomi devices have three typical โdiseasesโ that do not occur on other brands:
- ๐ Aggressive cache MIUI: The system stores application data even after they are deleted, clogging memory.
- ๐ฑ Duplicate services: Xiaomi often runs Google Play Services and similar services from Xiaomi (for example, Mi Push Service), which eats up resources.
- ๐ Limitations MIUI Power saving: even in Performance mode, the system can artificially limit the clock speed of the processor.
To pinpoint the problem precisely:
- Open the Settings. โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the "Kerole" line - this will turn on the developer mode.
- Go back to Settings โ More โ For developers and find the item Processor Statistics.
- Look at the loading schedule CPU: if he's constantly level 50-70% without active tasks โ a problem in the background processes.
If you download. CPU It jumps randomly, and the phone is warming for no reason - thermal throttling is to blame. In this case, resetting the heat settings (more on this below).
โ ๏ธ Note: On devices with Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro) driver bug is common GPU Adreno, which causes lags in games. Solved by updating the firmware to the latest version.
System Cleanup: What to Delete First
Let's start with the simplest one: freeing up memory. Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi's cache and garbage accumulate in non-obvious places.
Clearing the cache MIUI (covert)
Standard cleaning through Settings โ Apps only remove part of the trash to clean up the system cache. MIUI:
- Go to Settings. โ Memory.
- Slip on the Cleanup in the top right corner.
- Select the Deep Clean tab (not to be confused with the usual!).
- Check all items, especially Residual Files and Cash MIUI.
This procedure removes before 1-3 GB of unnecessary data that is not visible in the standard file manager. 2-3 weekdays.
Removal of duplicate annexes
Xiaomi is setting up its counterparts to standard Google services, which are often in conflict.
- ๐ง Mi Mail vs Gmail
- ๐ต Mi Music vs YouTube Music
- ๐ฑ Mi Browser vs Chrome
To remove unnecessary:
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Slip the filter (funnel icon) and select Systems.
- Find duplicates (e.g. Mi Video if you use YouTube) and click Delete or Disable.
โ๏ธ What can be safely removed from Xiaomi
Do not remove Mi Share, Security, and Mi Cloud, which can disrupt your system.
Clearing Dalvik cache (for advanced)
If the phone is slowing down after the update MIUI, And it's going to help you reset Dalvik cache, which is a temporary file that Android creates to make applications faster, and then after cleaning, it's going to reassemble the cache, which can eliminate the lag.
For this:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
- Choose Wipe & Reset โ Wipe Dalvik Cache (control - volume buttons, choice - power button).
- Reset the device.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Dalvik Cache with Wipe Data.
3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Performance Settings
MIUI It has hidden parameters that allow you to manually adjust the performance, and these options are not visible in the standard interface, but they can be activated through the developer mode.
3.1. Cancel animation
The transition animations and the opening of apps create the illusion of smoothness, but on weak devices (like the Redmi Note 12), they only slow down the system.
- Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in About Phone).
- Go to Settings โ Additional โ For developers.
- Find the items: Scale of window animation โ No animation Scale of transition animation โ No animation Duration of animation โ Off.
These changes apply immediately โ check the speed of opening applications (for example, Settings or Gallery). The difference is especially noticeable on devices with a 60 Hz display.
Limitation of background processes
MIUI By default, it allows applications to run in the background even when they're not in use, and it consumes RAM and battery power to limit the amount of time that you're using:
- In the Developer Settings, find Process Limitation.
- Choose the maximum. 2 process in the background (for devices with 4-6 GB of RAM) or Maximum 3 process (for the purpose of 8+ GB RAM).
๐ก
If notifications from Viber or WhatsApp stop coming after the process is limited, add these apps to the exceptions in the Battery settings. โ Optimizing the battery
Initiation of the performance mode
MIUI It has a hidden mode that disables all energy saving constraints to activate it:
- Go to Settings. โ Battery.
- Slip on Performance Mode (if there is no item, turn on Developer Mode and come back here).
- Choose High Performance.
This regime:
- โ Unlocks the maximum clock frequency of the processor.
- โ Disables restrictions on background activity.
- โ Increases battery consumption and heat (not recommended for continuous use).
4.Memory optimization: how to free RAM on Xiaomi
Lack of RAM is the main reason for lags on budget models like Redmi A2 or POCO M6 Pro, even if you 4-6 GB RAM, MIUI may eat before 50% System processes. Here's how to get back control:
Manual memory management
MIUI Allows you to manually clean RAM without third-party applications:
- Add to the main screen widget Memory Cleanup (long press on the screen) โ Widgets โ Tools).
- Slip on the widget to see the list of active apps.
- Click Clean to close all background processes.
This method works better than the Clean button in the multitasking menu because it removes system processes that are not normally visible to the user.
Disabling "heavy" system services
Some services MIUI consume up 300-500 MB of RAM, even in plain sight. They can be turned off without consequence:
| Service | RAM consumption | Can I turn it off? | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Push Service | 150-250 MB | Yes. | Xiaomi will stop receiving push notifications (e.g. updates) MIUI) |
| Analytics | 80-120 MB | Yes. | Xiaomi will not collect data on phone usage |
| MiuiDaemon | 200-400MB | No. | Critical System Process |
| Xiaomi Service Framework | 100-180 MB | Partially. | Cloud services may stop working (Mi Cloud, synchronization) |
To disable unnecessary services:
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Slip the filter and select Systems.
- Find the service from the table and click Disable (do not Delete!).
โ ๏ธ Note: Do not disable MiuiDaemon and System UI โ This will lead to a bootloop (locked reboot of the phone).
Use of the function "Extension of RAM"
On devices with 6 GB of memory or less (for example, the Redmi Note 11), you can artificially increase the RAM due to internal memory.
- Go to Settings โ Additional โ Expand memory.
- Select the amount of virtual memory (recommended 2 GB or 3 GB).
- Reboot the phone.
This feature creates a swap file on the internal drive, which is used as an additional RAM.
- โ ๏ธ Reduces free space on the disk.
- โ ๏ธ Can accelerate the wear of flash memory (relevant for cheap models with eMMC).
๐ก
Extension of RAM is effective only on devices with 4-6 GB of physical memory on flagships (8+ GB) productivity gains will be minimal.
5.Storage optimization: why internal memory is slowing down Xiaomi
Many users are unaware that memory type directly affects the speed of the phone. Xiaomi's budget models (like the Redmi A series) often feature slow eMMC memory instead of the low-end ones. UFS. This leads to lags in the:
- ๐ธ Video recordings in 4K.
- ๐ฎ Genshin Impact (Call of Duty Mobile).
- ๐ Copying large files.
You can check the type of memory using the DevCheck app (Storage section). If you have an eMMC, follow these tips:
5.1. Transfer of applications to a memory card
If your Xiaomi supports microSD, transfer some of the applications to it:
- Go to Settings โ Applications.
- Select an app (like Facebook or Spotify).
- Slip the vault. โ Change. โ Memory map.
Please note:
- ๐ Not all apps support portability (such as WhatsApp or Banking apps).
- ๐ The memory card should be formatted as internal storage (c Settings) โ Memory).
- ๐ Use class cards A2 or UHS-I (For example, SanDisk Extreme).
Memory defragmentation (eMMC only)
The eMMC memory fragments over time, which slows down the reading/writing process. UFS, It doesnโt have a built-in defragmentation system, so you have to do it manually:
- Install the app SD Maid (root rights required) or Files by Google (no root required).
- Run the vault analysis.
- Delete temporary files and cache (in SD Maid is a CorpseFinder point).
- Reboot the phone.
If you have root, run the command in Terminal:
su
fstrim -v /data
fstrim -v /system5.3. deactivation of memory compression (only for the purpose of UFS)
On devices with UFS 2.2/3.1 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) MIUI The default is compression, which can slow down read/write operations:
- Activate the developer mode.
- Go to Settings โ Additional โ For developers.
- Find Disable Memory Compression and activate the option.
โ ๏ธ Note: This setting is only available on flagship models with UFS 3.0+. It's not on eMMC devices.
6. Advanced methods: for experienced users
If the basics didn't work, try these methods. They take longer, but they give you a noticeable increase in productivity.
Resetting of thermal resets (thermal reset)
Over time, the system accumulates incorrect data about the thermal state of the processor, which leads to artificially limited performance, to reset the settings:
- Install MTweak (root required) or use it ADB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell su echo 0 > /sys/class/thermal/thermal_message/sconfig
- Reset the device.
After that:
- ๐ฅ The processor will keep the maximum frequency longer.
- โ ๏ธ The phone may warm up more (watch the temperature in the air). CPU Monitor).
6.2. Disconnection MIUI Optimization
MIUI Optimization is a set of services that is responsible for smooth interfaces, but often causes lags:
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1
- Reset the device.
Effects:
- โ Reduced RAM consumption by 200-300 MB.
- โ Random interface hangings will disappear.
- โ Some chips may be missing. MIUI (For example, smooth transitions between applications).
What happens if you turn off MIUI Optimization?
Manual control of processor cores
On multi-core processors (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Xiaomi) 13T) You can manually disable weak cores, forcing the system to use only productive cores:
- Install the Kernel Adiutor app (root required).
- Go to the CPU section.
- Shut down the cores. Cortex-A510 (energy efficient but weak).
- Just keep it active. Cortex-A710/A715 and Cortex-X3.
Result:
- โก Applications will open faster.
- ๐ The battery consumption will increase by 15-20%.
7. firmware update: when it really helps
Many users believe that the update MIUI It automatically speeds up the phone. This is not always the case: newer versions of firmware often add new features that put a strain on the system:
- ๐ If there are known bugs in the current version (for example, lags in the MIUI 14.0.3 for Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
- ๐ If the manufacturer has issued a patch for a vulnerability exploited by viruses (e.g, CVE-2023-2129).
- ๐ฏ If the new version contains optimizations for your processor (e.g, MIUI 15 for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3).
How to properly update:
- Make a backup through Settings โ About Phone โ Backup.
- Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet!).
- Charge your phone at least 60%.
- Go to Settings. โ The phone. โ Update the system and press Download.
- After installation, reset the cache (described in section 2.3).
If the phone is still more slow after the update:
- ๐ Return to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions at en.miui.com).
- ๐งน Run a full reset (Wipe Data in Recovery Mode).
๐ก
Update your firmware only if the new version contains critical fixes for your model. Cosmetic updates (new wallpaper, animations) often degrade performance.
8. Alternative firmware: when MIUI no longer
If all the optimization methods didnโt work, the last option is to install custom firmware, which is a radical step, but it can bring even old devices like Xiaomi Mi back to life. A2 Or the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
8.1 Best firmware for Xiaomi in 2026
| Firmware | Type | Pluses | Cons | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel Experience | AOSP (Pure Android) | Maximum productivity, no unnecessary services | No branded features Xiaomi (IR-blaster, camera modes) | Flagships 2020-2023 garland. |
| LineageOS | AOSP | Stable work, long maintenance of updates | Minimalist design, little customization | Budget models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) |
| Xiaomi.eu | MIUI (modified) | All Xiaomi features are saved, Bloatware is removed | Requires unlocking the loader | All devices Xiaomi |
| ArrowOS | AOSP | Balance between productivity and customization | There may be camera bugs on some models. | Mid-segment (POCO X5, Redmi Note 12) |
8.2 How to install custom firmware
The installation process consists of 5 steps:
- Unlock the bootloader: Apply for en.miui.com/unlock. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock
- Install custom recovery: Download TWRP For your model from twrp.me.Swipe through fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
- Data reset: B TWRP Choose the Wipe โ Advanced Wipe. Mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
- Installation of firmware: Copy ZIP-a firmware file on the phone. TWRP Select Install and specify the file.
First launch
- After installation, run the Wipe Cache.
- Reboot to the system (the first start may take a while to start). 10-15 minute).
โ ๏ธ Note: Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may result in a brick phone. Before the procedure, check that the firmware supports your model (e.g., tissot for Mi). A1, vili for Xiaomi 11T Pro).